Moscow denounced the results of the presidential elections in Moldovawhich was won by Maia Sandu, the current European-minded president, and she considered it “the most undemocratic election” in the country’s history after the Soviet era.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a comment on the ministry’s website yesterday, Monday, that the result revealed a “deep division” in Moldovan society, as she put it.
Sandu, 52, secured victory in the elections, thanks in large part to the support of citizens residing outside the country.
“It will not be an exaggeration to say that this is the most undemocratic election campaign in all the years since Moldova’s independence,” Zakharova added.
She continued, “The distinguishing factors are the authorities’ unprecedented suppression of the opposition and independent media, especially the Russian-language media, and the West’s overt interference in the electoral process,” she said.
Sandu’s victory for a second term means the victory of the pro-European camp over the pro-Russian wing in this poor country.
Sandu has long denounced the “Russian invasion” of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting to overthrow her administration. She complained after the first round of elections last month about a campaign to offer bribes to voters to vote against her and against a referendum on joining the European Union. The result of the referendum was supported by a narrow majority.
